Stories spark fond Columbia memories

Warren Dalton

Sunday

Apr 25, 2010 at 12:01 AMApr 25, 2010 at 7:00 AM

I’ve enjoyed reading one of the 1950 issues of Bob Ghio’s Town Life (see my column from Oct. 25) sent to me by Bob’s daughter, Missie Ghio Reynolds. She also sent the following wonderful letter in response to that column:

“Mr. Dalton,

“In November my good friend, DeAnn Peter with First National Bank, sent me a copy of your article ‘Downtown boomed during the ’50s.’ I enjoyed it immensely since I remembered all the people you mentioned. I have intended to write you for months — am finally following the intention.

“My father was Bob Ghio. After he and my Mother died, I gave most of the photographs from Town Life to the Columbia Historical Society. Your article brought back so many memories of my early childhood (a wonderful time in my life). The beauty of Columbia in the ’50s, and I am sure many small towns were the same, was the freedom to ride my bike anywhere and be safe.

“Karla Welliver and I once had the conversation of what a bubble we lived in during those years. We knew nothing of the world’s troubles, of troubles personal or financial of our parents. Nowadays, children know everything, they know too much.

“I remember you lived on Garth and Arlene Lawyer lived on Thilly (as did the Griffins), Medley’s Garage was next to Dad’s studio on South Ninth, my mom bought all her shoes from Ray Powell at the Novus Shop and I used to get a birthday card from Ed Wayland every year!

“You have jogged my memory and I remember it all — Gibsons, Harzfelds, The Uptown Theater, Mizzou Bowl, Central Dairy ice cream, Suzanne’s, and Gem Drug. The taxi place on the corner of Ninth and Cherry, across from Jim’s Paint Palette. The Art League had one of their first shows around that brick wall. I could go on and on.

“My Dad often put my brother and I on the cover of Town Life or within the pages. The November 1950 issue has us on the cover and in our Halloween costumes (our Mother made) with Mom holding a bowl of apples. On the facing page, Dad’s Mother is giving to the Community Chest. In that same issue, Sam Dalton’s home is featured.

“Years later, I married Mick Jabbour, one of the owners of Booches (more wonderful years). Thank you for the walk down Memory Lane. Missie Ghio McReynolds.”

In response to my column titled “Many fine restaurants fed Columbia residents” on Aug. 3, 2008, Mike Christenson sent this interesting account of how Moon Valley Villa was named and the characters who lived there. The article mentions C.B. Williams, who, as I recall, was a rather large man, operated a moving company and always had a cigar in his mouth.

“The Moon Valley Villa! What a great name. … V.K. Hills owned it and told me that once he saw the moon shining over the Hinkson Creek and realized his little valley was actually shaped like a crescent moon, thus “Moon Valley.” His business shipped locally grown mushrooms all over the country.

“After mushroom sales slowed, the field was made into a small lake and the main building was converted to a ‘steak joint.’ Dad (everyone called him “P.B.”) loved his steaks cooked very rare (of course). The restaurant was later remodeled into a small apartment complex. Dad moved there after Mom died and loved it! ... and why not? A mile from downtown, on a creek/pond and secluded (cheap rent, too). His next door neighbor was a real character, C.B. Williams! So, in Moon Valley Villa lived C.B., V.K. and P.B. Whatever happened to the way we called each other? Initials are so much better than names … do you agree W.D.?”

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